Mastering math

I am so impressed with the shining stars of the Jordan Small Middle School math team. They recently attended a math meet in Durham where they competed against 10 other schools and were victorious.

Of the eleven teams competing, Jordan Small won the meet overall. In addition, the sixth- and seventh-grade teams came home with the coveted first place wins for their grades, and the eighth-grade team finished second.

In the sixth-grade individual competitions, Lexi Walker placed first and Jeff Pollard placed third. Clayton Manchester placed first and Emily Gagne placed second for the seventh-graders, while Jenny Walker was the first place finisher in the eighth-grade competition.

The sixth-grade team consisted of Skyla Engler, Liam Flynn, Greg Meader, Jeff Pollard, Evan Taylor and Lexi Walker. Competing on the seventh-grade team were Kaitlyn Dostie, Emily Gagne, Chase Gendron, Emma Gresh, Clayton Manchester and Haley Stedt. The eighth-grade team included Rob Blair, Jack Brockelbank, Sara Hoffman, McKenzie Larson, Brad Meader and Jenny Walker.

Under the direction of Jack Fitch, our mathematicians always score well in these meets. Congratulations to all of them for doing an outstanding job.

Dancing for toys

The dancers from Center Stage Performing Arts will once again team up with the Studio for the Living Arts Dance Center in Gray and hold a performance to benefit the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund. The Bruce Roberts Toy Fund is a popular nonprofit organization that has been providing Christmas toys for area children in need since 1949. This is a fabulous way for us to contribute, either as dancers or spectators.

The performance will be held at Gray High School on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m., with Raymond dancers of all ages performing. While there is no admission fee, donations will be accepted at the door. All money collected will be sent to the fund and used to purchase toys. For more information, contact Beth Gaudet at 807-7405 or centerstage@maine.rr.com.

Baking for books

The Raymond Village Library will host its annual bake sale just in time for you to stock up on holiday treats. The sale will be held on Sunday, Dec. 13, beginning at 10 a.m. and will have tables filled with delicious pastries, decorated cookies, candies, pies and breads. Allow the library’s talented volunteer bakers to help you with your holiday baking. Festively wrapped in decorative packages, these goodies are also perfect for gift-giving.

Holiday music

There is nothing like music to put you in a good mood so why not treat yourself to a break from the holiday hustle to hear your favorite songs performed by local talent.

The musicians in our schools have been preparing all fall for their holiday concerts. The third- through eighth-grade chorus and band concert will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 15, and the seventh- and eighth-grade concert will be held the following night, Wednesday, Dec 16. Both concerts will be held at the Jordan Small Middle School at 7 p.m. and are free to the public

The Casco Village Church choir will be co-hosting an evening of sacred classical as well as contemporary Christmas music with the Bridgton First Congregational Church choir on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. The combined choirs will bring you joyous music to put you in the Christmas spirit.

If you are tiring of holiday music and would like a little more action, how about some hockey? The Portland Pirates have invited our third- and fourth-grade chorus to perform the national anthem at the opening of the game on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. Come watch the Pirates take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after hearing our children sing the anthem.

Let’s skate

Temperatures are finally dropping and winter is upon us. While our lakes and ponds are still open and unsafe, it is not too early to get in some ice skating on the new public rink.

In her never-ending dedication to teaching community service, whereby kids learn the benefits of helping others in the community, school social worker Barb Harding-Loux has done it once again. She pulled together a team of students and this weekend, they built an ice rink at the Raymond Elementary School.

On behalf of all the skaters who will be using this rink throughout the winter, I would like to thank Barb for not only spear-heading this project, but for going beyond the call of duty and purchasing the liner herself. In addition, Gregg Tangen of Lowe’s generously donated wood to build the frame and Portland firefighter David Young offered to provide the water. All are parents of children in the schools, and their time and dedication to making this project possible are very much appreciated. Thank you also to the Community Service group who are committed to maintaining the rink.

A tub of donated skates will be left near the ice for those in need. If you have skates that you would like to donate, contact Loux at bhardingloux@windhamraymondschools.org.

Healthier kids need volunteers

Our school district has recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education which will provide nearly $1 million over the next three years for student programming. The grant, Centers for Wellness: Healthier Kids Now for a Healthier Community Tomorrow, will provide opportunities for students to increase the amount of time that they are physically active before, during, and after school. Windham High School will be helping young adults set and achieve health and fitness goals by providing increased access to weight and cardio equipment.

To make the project possible, the current weight and cardio rooms will need to be relocated to other spaces within the school and the auxiliary gym in the middle school will require minor changes. The renovations to prepare the space will require electrical, HVAC, masonry, carpentry, and suspended ceiling modifications. Targeted to programming, the grant cannot be used to pay for construction costs or construction materials; therefore, help is needed from the community. If you are interested in providing donated labor, materials, or financial support for this important wellness effort, contact Bill Hansen, director of facilities, at 892-1800, ext. 2025.

The Jordan Small Middle School math team won first place in the Pine Tree League math meet. (Courtesy photo)